After months of hard work the doors of the Oakwood Inn in Syracuse will be reopen to the public Friday and Saturday. “It’s so exciting because it’s so close,” said Phil Kuhn, marketing director.

The restaurants, The Pier and Back Porch will open slowly. Restaurant General Manager Jason Brown explained several small private dinner parties will be held June 3-9 to help with staff training, before the doors are thrown open to the general public June 10. Guests will be able to purchase breakfast, lunch and dinner in the resort’s restaurants.

Kuhn explained the Parent family, owners of the property, wanted to reopen Oakwood on the right foot. “We want our guests experience to be the best it can be,” he said.
The Pier is a small upscale restaurant with a focus on casual fine dining. Kuhn described The Pier as having a European influence with an oyster focus. The Pier will have a bar for people to mingle and get together with views of the lake.

The Back Porch will offer outdoor/indoor casual dining offering items such as burgers, chicken, seafood, sandwiches and more. It will have its own bar. Oakwood will be installing 60 boat slips, so residents around the lakes can come either to the resort in their boat or by car.

The hotel features an arcade room on the second floor with a pinball machine, classic PacMan, a racing type game, Foosball and air hockey.

“We are trying to get games for multiple people (to play at the same time),” explained Jeremiah Heierman, CEO. “It’s (the arcade) for families. We’re really trying to (encourage) the interaction between families.”

A fitness room is located on the third floor and a computer room will be located right off the lobby. A spa and coffee shop will also be opening this summer as improvements continue to be made throughout the building.

“It is important that everyone is welcome. It’s not a suit and tie type of place. It’s not supposed to be a private club,” Kuhn said.

Most Saturdays are already booked this summer for weddings, however, there are many open dates for business meetings, conferences and other events. “It’s a good way to mix business with pleasure,” Kuhn said. “It’s 27 acres of pure relaxation.”

The small gazebo, once located at the resort’s front entrance, has been moved to the courtyard of the hotel, where visitors can sit and enjoy a view of the lake.